Foster Parents Treasure Connections

Since 2021, John and Victoria Tate have been a refuge of hope and stability for children in need. They have been the living embodiment of the heart of Agape’s mission. Among those they welcomed into their home was a set of three-year-old twin girls. These girls were a part of a larger sibling group of five that unfortunately could not be placed in the same home. One sibling was placed in an Agape foster home and another pair of twins was placed in a Department of Human Resources (DHR) home, but the Tates and the other foster families worked tirelessly to ensure the siblings remained connected.

During their time with the Tates, the girls thrived in a nurturing environment filled with love and faith. The family attended church every Sunday, and the Tates ensured the girls participated in activities outside of school to teach them valuable life lessons and build confidence. Through their actions and steadfast love, the Tates planted seeds of faith and hope in the girls that have continue to grow.

The Tates, because of their stage of life, knew from the start that they might not be able to raise the girls if adoption became an option. Their unwavering faith and commitment were evident in every step of their journey. They repeatedly emphasized, “God will provide the rest,” and that their home would always be open to the girls if needed. But they were also very open to transitioning their relationship into more of a grandparent role than parent role. 

An adoptive resource was identified for the girls. While the Tates were glad a forever home was available, they were sad the family was in a different state. Still the Tates worked with the girls, the new family and all the professionals involved to ensure a smooth transition for the girls. 

Today, the twin girls are living with their forever family in another state. The Tates remain an active part of the girls’ lives, video chatting with them as often as possible and continuing to offer their love and support from afar. Remarkably, the seeds of faith the Tates planted have already borne fruit. The video calls often involve talking about going to church and singing songs they learned in church with the Tates

The Tates’ story is a powerful reminder of the transformative role foster families play in shaping lives. While they may not witness every blossom of the seeds they’ve planted, their faith and love will continue to influence the girls and everyone they encounter. As the Tates beautifully demonstrate, the journey of fostering is not about receiving but about giving, trusting that God’s plan will unfold in ways greater than we can imagine.

DID YOU KNOW? The relationship between siblings is usually the longest lasting relationship of a person’s life. Keeping brothers and sisters together when they enter foster care is often very hard. Once they are separated, it is very rare that they are reunited. Agape needs homes willing to provide a safe, nurturing foster home for sibling groups of four or more. Our Enhanced Foster Care program provides those homes with additional support from our staff as well as additional financial support to meet the needs of the children. For more information on ministering to large sibling groups, please contact Amy Corwin (acowin@agapeforchidlren.org).